David Price comeback starts next month in Germany

Harry Pratt

November 27, 2013

English heavyweight David Price begins his quest for a comeback from two shock defeats to American Tony Thompson with an eight-round contest against Russian Evgeny Orlov in Neubrandenburg, Germany, on Dec. 14.

The 30-year-old Liverpudlian has not fought since suffering back-to-back KOs at the hands of the American veteran earlier this year. Those losses to Thompson were the first of Price’s career and resulted in a number of changes in the Brit’s camp.

The 2008 Olympic bronze medalist firstly changed trainers, linking up with Hayemaker supremo Adam Booth. Then, following the retirement of his U.K. promoter Frank Maloney, he recently signed with Germany’s Kalle Sauerland.

Sauerland Events are promoting the show next month, which is headlined by the light heavyweight contest between Juergen Braehmer and Marcus Oliveira. The plan is to keep Price active in 2014 as he attempts to regain his place among the contenders of the heavyweight division.

“This is the first-step back for David,” Sauerland said. “It will be a solid test and a great learning experience for him. There is no doubt that David has the potential to become a world champion but we must take things slowly, to allow him to develop and grow as a fighter.”

After the longest break of his professional career, Price (15-2, 13 knockouts) is relishing a return to the ring, against 35-year-old Orlov (14-12-1, 10 KOs), and the opportunity to showcase progress made under Booth, who also looks after former heavyweight titleholder David Haye.

“I am excited to be starting this new chapter in my career,” he said. “My training has been going really well. We have made some changes in the gym and come fight night people will see this in my performance. My opponent is a tough guy so I am not taking anything for granted but I have seen him in training and in fights so I know what I have to do to beat him. I can’t wait to get all rolling.”